T.G.I.Fridays Adds New Beer & New Beer Menu Items

It should prove interesting to see if our local TGI Fridays picks up these new brews and “better with brew” menu items (especially since some of these are NOT imported into PA yet)…but here’s a press release out of TGIF announcing they’re adding Magic Hat, New Belgium, Harpoon and Goose Island among others:

CARROLLTON, Texas, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for summer, T.G.I. Friday’s® is bringing out the best seasonal flavors by introducing a new line of menu items inspired by and prepared with beer and featuring other bold, fresh ingredients. The new menu combines innovative dishes with craft beer, proving that great food is "better with brew." Friday’s® guests can celebrate the relationship between great food and a cold draft, pairing new seafood or steak dishes with the bold, hoppy flavors of Fat Tire, Magic Hat and other craft beers being introduced to the beer roster.

Friday’s is offering these regional craft beers in its restaurants for the first time, answering the call by 40 percent of consumers who like to try beer that pairs well with a seasonal dish, according to a recent survey. At its most popular in the summer – 34 percent of consumers indicate the warm months are the best time to enjoy the hoppy beverage – beer plays a key role in this summer’s menu, providing an added twist to the robust flavor of each new item.

"Beer is an essential ingredient to summer and this season’s menu stands out with the inclusion of the best regional craft brews from around the country as a pairing for complementary meals and as an ingredient in the actual recipes," said Ricky Richardson, executive vice president and chief concept officer, T.G.I. Friday’s. "Whether our guests are enjoying an entree that has been marinated in a craft beer like our Black Angus Brew House Steak, or looking to kick back with a cold beer, they can do so at Friday’s – just as they would at a backyard barbeque or summer picnic."

The new menu features tasty, beer-inspired dishes such as the Ale House Shrimp & Chips served with a Stout beer remoulade sauce and the Black Angus Brewhouse Steak with a beer and citrus marinade; sweet treats to help guests cool-off this summer, like the Guinness Stout shake and Ice Cream Strawberry ShortcakeHarpoon IPA and Goose Island Honkers Ale, which will satisfy the palates of the most discerning beer drinker.